Michael Brissenden presents AM Monday to Friday from 8:00am on ABC Local Radio and 7:10am on Radio National. Join Elizabeth Jackson for the Saturday edition at 8am on Local Radio and 7am on Radio National.

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Saturday 5 July 2003

AM is Australia's most informative morning current affairs. It covers the stories each morning that the other current affairs teams follow for the rest of the day. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Al-Jazeera broadcasts alleged Saddam Hussein tape

The Arab TV network, Al-Jazeera, has broadcast what it says is a recording of former Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein. The CIA is examining the recording, which has been released as Americans celebrate Independence Day. North America Correspondent, Leigh Sales, reports from Philadelphia, the scene of not only July the 4th celebrations, but also protests against the Patriotic Act which compels Americans to surrender freedoms in the name of security.

Suicide attack on Pakistan mosque

It's now thought that up to 44 people were killed in the latest terrorist attack in Pakistan, where three militants attacked minority Shia worshippers at a mosque in the south-western city of Quetta. It's also the first time suicide bombers have joined the brutal tit-for-tat between extremist groups of Pakistan's Sunni majority and Shia minority.

Israeli withdrawal brings little change to Bethlehem

While drawing praise for its troop withdrawal from Bethlehem this week, Israel is also being accused of continuing to lay siege to the biblical city. A senior member of Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement has told Saturday AM that Israeli soldiers are still in the city, and that the Sharon Government is continuing to build a giant wall around Bethlehem. When finished, the wall will split one community in two, leaving some with the Palestinian side, the rest on the Israeli side, cut off from families, schools and farmland.

Brisbane to host weapons interception talks

Australian, US, European and Japanese officials are preparing for a crucial meeting in Brisbane next week to talk about a new scheme aimed at intercepting shipments of weapons of mass destruction. The Government says the project is relevant to its concerns about North Korea's nuclear weapons program, but it's also a global project with implications far beyond the Korean Peninsula. But a senior defence analyst has warned of the difficulties of intercepting any ships on the high seas.

Solomons Cabinet endorses Australian-led intervention

The Australian-led intervention in the Solomon Islands has been endorsed by the country's Cabinet. With the invitation to be formalised by the Solomons' Governor-General over the weekend, the path is now almost clear for the proposed joint police and military force to arrive. But there is growing pressure on the country's parliamentarians to reject the intervention.

Mark Philippoussis advances to Wimbledon final

For the fourth consecutive year at Wimbledon, an Australian has won a place in the finals, after Mark Philippoussis stormed to victory overnight with a powerful three-set win over Frenchman Sebastian Grosjean. His victory is all the more remarkable because it's not too long ago the powerful server they call the Scud was beset by injuries and confined to a wheelchair.

John Howard goes bush

Prime Minister, John Howard, left the comfort of Canberra to get his boots dirty yesterday, heading bush to see the impact of the drought in rural Australia first hand. Farmers in the southern Queensland towns of Roma and Mitchell relished the rare opportunity of an audience with Mr Howard and his deputy, John Anderson, as they toured the region.

Peter Beattie celebrates five years in Office

It was billed as "the Premier event" and while there was nothing second rate about the price of a seat, the entertainment couldn't be described as out of the top shelf. It was Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie's celebration of five years in Office, held in Brisbane last night. While Labor Premiers Bob Carr and Steve Bracks were there to praise their colleague, the event gave signs of living up to its name, until the band came on.